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Strictly Come Dancing

Waveguide - Bruce Forsyth BBC One's Saturday night series Strictly Come Dancing is set to return to screens in October, it was announced today.

There will be an extra two weeks added to the run and two more celebrities than last year.

Bruce Forsyth and co-host Tess Daly will once again return to present the show. Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli also return to judge the competitors' performances.

Set to take the challenge this year are:

For the women


Emma Bunton (singer)
Georgina Bouzova (actress)
Claire King (actress)
Louisa Lytton (actress)
Mica Paris (singer and TV presenter)
Jan Ravens (comedy actress)
Carol Smillie (TV presenter)

For the men

Matt Dawson (World Champion rugby player)
Ray Fearon (actor)
Nicholas Owen (newsreader)
Mark Ramprakash (cricketer)
Peter Schmeichel (former Manchester United goalkeeper)
Spoony (DJ)
Jimmy Tarbuck (comedian and entertainer)

Bruce Forsyth said: "The whole nation seems to have taken Strictly Come Dancing to its heart in a way that we could never have believed it would happen. I can't wait to get back on screen with this wonderful show. Here's to a great fourth series!"

Tess Daly said: "With a line-up like this, the new series is set to be bigger and better than ever before. Where else could you see a Spice Girl dancing alongside Jimmy Tarbuck?!"
waveguide

Emma's ready to rhumba Sun

RUMBA BABY
Emma spices up Strictly Come Dancing
By Nicola Methven, Tv Editor

THE saucy salsa will be hotter than ever in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing - thanks to the added Spice of Emma Bunton.

The pop singer, better known as Baby Spice, will be strutting her stuff in the BBC1 reality TV show when it returns on October 7. And she will be in winning hands.

Emma, 30, will be partnered by Darren Bennett, who waltzed away with the top prize in series two, dancing with Jill Halfpenny.


Other celebs who will be sparkling in sequinned ballgowns are East-Enders' Louisa Lytton, ex-presenter Carol Smillie, former Bad Girls star Claire King, Casualty's Georgina Bouzova, singer Mica Paris and Dead Ringers funnygirl Jan Ravens.

And the twinkle-toed men dusting down their tuxedos are comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, soccer ace Peter Schmeichel, newsreader Nick Owen, cricketer Mark Ramprakash, rugby player Matt Dawson, ex-Corrie hunk Ray Fearon and Five Live DJ Spoony (aka Jonathan Joseph).

Yesterday, insiders revealed that romance was already blossoming between some of the contestants.

Ray, who played Street mechanic Nathan, and his dance partner Camilla Dallerup are getting on like a house on fire. "They are flirting like crazy," says our source.

The partnership between Brendan Cole, fresh from his stint on ITV's Love Island, and Claire King is another one to watch. Our spy adds: "She's a sexy single woman and we all know that Brendan has an eye for the ladies. They are definitely worth keeping a close eye on."

This series has 14 contestants - two more than last year - and runs for an extra two weeks. All proceeds from voting lines go to Children In Need.

Yesterday, host Bruce Forsyth said: "The nation seems to have taken Strictly Come Dancing to its heart in a way that we could never have believed it would happen. I can't wait to get back on screen."

Co-host Tess Daly added: "With a line-up like this, the new series is set to be bigger and better than ever.

"Where else could you see a Spice Girl dancing alongside Jimmy Tarbuck?" Where indeed... Mirror

ITV BAN DANCING QUEEN GABY
GABBY TO ITV: OK IF I GO ON THE BEEB'S STRICTLY COME DANCING? ITV TO GABBY: FOXTROT OSCAR

GABBY Logan has been banned from taking part in Strictly Come Dancing by her ITV bosses.

Glamorous sports presenter Gabby, 33, had agreed to take part in the BBC1 reality show which returns to our screens next month.

But she was told by her ITV bosses that she could not participate - just a week before the first show.

Instead they told Gabby they've lined her up to star in their rival reality show, Dancing On Ice.

A TV insider said Gabby was furious: "She's been in floods of tears, apologising to the BBC for the late notice. ITV insisted she stars on their show even though she doesn't want to."

The ban caused chaos for the BBC, which had already spent tens of thousands of pounds on 20 sequinned ballgowns for Gabby, costing between £3,000 and £5,000 apiece.


They were forced to replace her at the last minute with Casualty star Georgina Bouzova.

Gabby was due to join former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, EastEnders star Louisa Lytton, presenter Carol Smillie, actress Claire King, singer Mica Paris and Dead Ringers funnygirl Jan Ravens.

Male contenders included comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, soccer ace Peter Schmeichel, newsreader Nick Owen, rugby player Matt Dawson, cricketer Mark Ramprakash, ex-Corrie star Ray Fearon and Five Live's DJ Spoony.

The new series, again presented by Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly, has 14 contestants - two more than last year - and runs for an extra two weeks. Proceeds from voting lines go to Children in Need.

A BBC spokesman said: "It's a shame Gabby isn't able to take part, but we have a fantastic line-up of celebrities."

s.kerins@sundaymirror.co.ukSundaymirror

Strictly Returns

Bruce and Tess return for series four.

The BBC ONE smash-hit Saturday night series Strictly Come Dancing is set to return to screens in October and this year the competition is even bigger!

With two weeks extra added to the show and two more celebrities than last year, 14 stars will be paired with internationally renowned professional dancers in the hottest competition of 2006.

The Contestants

For the women:
- Emma Bunton (singer)
- Georgina Bouzova (actress)
- Claire King (actress)
- Louisa Lytton (actress)
- Mica Paris (songstress and TV presenter)
- Jan Ravens (comedy actress)
- Carol Smillie (TV presenter)

For the men:
- Matt Dawson (World Champion rugby player)
- Ray Fearon (actor)
- Nicholas Owen (newsreader)
- Mark Ramprakash (cricketer)
- Peter Schmeichel (former Man U goalkeeper)
- Spoony (DJ)
- Jimmy Tarbuck (comedian and entertainer)

The legendary Bruce Forsyth and his glamorous co-host Tess Daly will once again return to present the show. Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli also return to judge the competitors' performances.

Bruce Forsyth said: "The whole nation seems to have taken Strictly Come Dancing to its heart in a way that we could never have believed it would happen. I can't wait to get back on screen with this wonderful show. Here's to a great fourth series!"

Tess Daly said: "With a line-up like this, the new series is set to be bigger and better than ever before. Where else could you see a Spice Girl dancing alongside Jimmy Tarbuck?!"

From the off, the couples will face the public and studio vote with the lowest-scoring couple leaving the competition.

In a change to last year's format, week one sees the boys dancing to stay in the competition whilst the girls entertain with a group mambo.

In week two the female celebrities fight to stay in the competition whilst the men kick back with a group West Coast Swing.
Strictly Dance Fever
Learn to dance
Fun and Games

That Mitchell and Webb Look, Brand new Comedy (Image:BBC Two logo)

BBC

Just a reminder that the show starts at, 7.50pm and 9.50pm on BBC One and Mon-Fri at 6.30pm on BBC Two.

The First Show Result
Who is leaving the dancefloor after just one week?

Who is leaving the dancefloor after just one week?

No sooner had our intrepid dancers taken to the floor for the first time than it was time to say goodbye to one couple. The six couples who'd most impressed the judges and the viewers at home were: Mark and Karen, Ray and Camilla, Spoony and Ola, Peter and Erin, and Matt and Lilia, leaving Nicholas and Nicole and Jimmy and Flavia remaining.

Only one of these couples could remain in the competition, and sadly leaving us after the first show were Nicholas and Nicole. Nicholas was sad to be leaving the show so soon, but full of praise for his dance partner Nicole: "This woman is an amazing dancer, as you all know. It's been the most amazing experience for me. I want to thank everyone, including the judges: thank you very much."
BBC

Hello Mark! I think I am in love......

Mark is my favourite male dancer, he moved around that floor like on old pro and as of now I want him to win.

Mark Ramprakash


Fresh from captaining Surrey and notching up a personal best in the process, cricketer Mark Ramprakash is ready for some new challenges. Will he be this season's Darren Gough?

Twelve months ago, you might have said, 'A cricketer on Strictly Come Dancing? Don't be ridiculous!'. But that was before Darren Gough whirled his way to ballroom glory in the 2005 season and proved that men in white trousers can actually have a sense of rhythm when they step off the pitch.

Mark Ramprakash's life has been entirely dedicated to cricket since the age of 17, when he signed as a professional. Since then he's found fame playing for England, Middlesex and Surrey, and in 2006 he achieved a career-best score of 301 not out against Northamptonshire.

'I'm 38 this year,' says Ramprakash, 'and I've got to the stage in my life when I want to diversify away from cricket. But when I was initially asked to do the show, I said 'no' – it's so far from anything I've ever done before. I like nice normal basic sports like football and golf. But then you look at Darren Gough and you realize that you might be up to the challenge. Darren made it legit, he made me realize that you could step out of your comfort zone, and have fun and see what you could do.'

Like many a male contestant before him, Ramprakash is nervous about the costumes he might be required to wear. 'I'm really not keen on sleeveless shirts,' he says. 'My dress sense is pretty conservative. But the competition will kick in a few weeks down the line, and I suppose if one or two of the outfits are more flamboyant and they want me to wear them, then why not?'

Competition is the key; like all sportsmen, Ramprakash is in it to win it. 'I don't want to be the first out, of course. But this isn't a cricket competition; I'm not going in with the idea that I absolutely have to win, come what may. But I know what it will be like. If I get through the first few weeks, I'll want to stay in till the end.' Let's hope he does, if only to get back at his eight-year-old daughter. 'She's a big fan of Strictly Come Dancing and when I told her I was going to do the show she couldn't stop laughing. She kept saying, 'What are you thinking of?' BBC

EXCLUSIVE: IT'S STRICTLY DOUBLE BUBBLE

Sundaypeople

I love this show!

Watching them rehearse, I didn't hold out much hope for Mark Ramprakash - what a surprise when he finally got on the dance floor - considering it was the first night, he looked and moved like a pro.IMO as did Ray and Spoony but I was really pleasantly surprised at Mark as he looked so dreadful in the reheareal clip - looking forward to seeing those 3 shaking their booty in the coming weeks I don't mind telling you!

I agree with Arlene - Ola didn't give Spoony enough moves to do, I'm sure he was capable of doing a harder routine but he was very good nonetheless.IMO

Having seen how competitive and determined Matt Dawson was on Celebrity Master Chef, I'm expecting him to improve in the coming weeks over his stilted performance last night.

I'm looking forward to seeing Peter Schmicheal do a jive.

Aaah, poor Nick Owen.

I like Mark and Ray too Geena think those are my fave 2 guys so far havent made my mind up yet other the women

Agree about Ray and Mark Realityfan, they're my faves at the moment too - along with Spoony.
As we only saw the girls doing a group dance it was hard to decide between them as the cameras didn't stay on any of them for long enough - for me anyway.
However, I've just watched SCD -It Takes Two... which showed the girls in rehearsals and going by what I saw of them I thought Lousia, Carole and Clare were the best of the lot - of course I may change my mind when I see them all do a routine in next weeks show.

I love this show too and really enjoyed watching it on Saturday

I thought Ray and Mark were the best and have to say that Peter surprised me as he was much better than I thought he'd be. On the flipside I was expecting more from Matt but think he will improve as he is a very competitive person.

I'm looking forward to seeing the ladies dance this week

WHAT NOT TO DANCE..


WHAT Not To Wear host Mica Paris was last night booted off Strictly Come Dancing.

Pop star turned TV host Mica, 37, and dance partner Ian Waite left judges "stone cold" with their rumba number.

The pair finally lost out in the public vote to Casualty actress Georgina Bouzova and partner James Jordan. [/url=http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/tm_headline=what-not-to-dance%2D%2D-%26method=full%26objectid=17934332%26siteid=62484-name_page.html]sundaymirrror

RUBY BLUESDAY
EXCLUSIVE: Strictly Come Dancing star bolts out of studio in tears


STRICTLY Come Dancing star Louisa Lytton fled weeping from rehearsals yesterday after panicking about her quickstep.

The EastEnders actress - who plays gangster's daughter Ruby Allen - broke down in tears as she watched fellow contestants Carol Smillie and Georgina Bouzova rehearse.

The 17-year-old sobbed to co-stars: "I'm not good enough. I can't do it."

A show source said: "Panic set in when Louisa watched the other celebs going through their moves in the dress rehearsal. It was like she had a minibreakdown - it took a while to convince her to come back to the studio."

The source said show bosses were worried she was going to walk out, adding: "She became convinced she was going to forget her steps and embarrass herself on live TV. The pressure really got to her and the more she watched the others, the more worried she became.

"Eventually it got too much and she left the rehearsal area in floods of tears.


"She had been working hard on perfecting her steps all week. She was feeling confident and when the judges saw her dance in week one they had high hopes for her. But that all just disappeared."

Ex-Spice Girl Emma Bunton and Casualty star Georgina Bouzova rushed to comfort Louisa. She was coaxed back into the studio and reunited with her worried dance partner Vincent Simone.

Later the couple wowed the judges with their quickstep to The Pretenders classic Don't Get Me Wrong.

An insider added: "Louisa's confidence had taken a real knock. But she picked herself up and got back on her feet like a trooper."

Louisa is the youngest-ever contestant to take part in the hit BBC ballroom dance show. But before the series kicked off earlier this month she had already raised concerns about the judges' barbed comments - and whether she would meet standards set by previous contestants.

She said: "I'm worried about how I'll react to the judges. I'm terrified of all of them and I don't take criticism well.

"But I reckon I'll be OK as long as I keep practising."

Louisa, who won the Sexiest Female award at the Soap Awards in May, was axed from EastEnders in July - just eight months after joining the show. She will last be seen on screen next month.

She is a graduate of the Sylvia Young stage school and has had professional dance training.

She revealed how she wanted to take part in the show after watching ex-EastEnder Patsy Palmer perform in last year's competition. sundaymirror